All posts in: Lookbook

Style
03 May 2020

Stopping By Re:store

Dress – Lou & Grey / Bag – Oak + Fort / Boots – Aquatalia

It’s hard to find good lighting between two buildings isn’t it? I often times have a vision for a shot, but it doesn’t always land the way I think it will. Near my office, I’m tempted by endless stores and a shopping mall. It makes even taking a quick break for fresh air sometimes difficult. Not too long ago, a new shop opened up called [Re: store.] The concept was that it would house many brands so that you could shop from all of these products at once. My guess is that some of these brands aren’t quite large enough to open up their own stores yet. If that’s the case, why not find a space that has three floors and serves as a pop-up.

During my stop in, I was greeted with brands I was familiar with and even some newer ones I hadn’t heard of. There isn’t a chance that you won’t find one thing you’d like from being there. While I may have walked out this time with nothing in hand, I’m sure I’ll visit again in the future.

Style
12 Apr 2020

Is It Punk

Turtleneck – Aritzia / Belt – Mom’s / Skirt – Rag & Bone / Heels – Something Navy x Nordstrom

One of my favorite parts about writing these posts is that I can always go back and remember the story of the piece. There’s an adorable shopping area near me in Lower Pacific Heights – home to Reformation, Rag & Bone, Alice and Olivia, Frame – many stores that I would consider to be a bit high end and out of my price range. Though I can’t explain it, I recently discovered through looking into my own finances that I tend to be someone that feels joy through purchases. I wouldn’t consider this to be the most responsible habit, but the first step is admitting it.

On a recent trip, I stepped into Rag & Bone to peruse, but found myself going back to this red plaid skirt. Would I wear this beyond winter time? Will plaid still be in next season or even next year? I couldn’t get over the slit. The fabric was so soft and even though plaid isn’t something I own a lot of, I figured I could make this work. There was a part of me that day that wanted to tap into an edgier side; one might say my more scene-y teenage years.

For this experiment, I paired it with my favorite snug black turtleneck from Aritzia, my mother’s old belt and the white heels. If I were to re-do this outfit again (which I will after quarantine) I might want to swap out the heels for something else. Ultimately, we’re extremely happy we went with the skirt. It ended up being on a sale rack and discounted even further when we went to make the purchase. I call that “meant to be.”

Style
10 Apr 2020

Come Around to the Button Down

White Blouse – J. Crew / Jacket – Uniqlo / Pants and Heels – Oak + Fort

For years, I refused to consider button down blouses as part of my wardrobe. I would make every type of excuse for them just to not own one. “They’ll age me.” “I can’t pull one off.” “This doesn’t feel comfortable.” “I work in tech! This isn’t necessary.” On a recent trip home, I found this one hanging in my closet. My mother had spotted it at the store and thought I might like it. To appease her, I did try it on, but the blouse didn’t stand a chance. Before putting it on, I’d already made up my mind about it and used one of the above excuses. I was being a brat.

The day that I left to return to San Francisco, I had just zipped up my luggage. Waiting to leave, I saw it staring back at me from my closet. The guilt of not fully giving it a chance was sitting with me. So I unzipped my luggage one more time and made room for it at the top. Wearing it the next week, I did feel aged. It made me actually “look” my age. Though I tend to have a very youthful personality and face, I recognize that there are things in my closet that I need to retire and leave behind. For work, I paired this with a pair of my black jeggings in heels.

This outfit series though was my take on a weekend look. For a little flair, I paired it with these wide-legged pants and a fun and fuzzy jacket from Uniqlo. It has a bit of spunk, but the same weekend coziness I strive for.

Style
08 Apr 2020

Updated Classic

Denim Jacket – Gap / Black Pants – Uniqlo / Boots – Something Navy x Nordstrom

These OOTD photos were just taken earlier this year, but already these feel like a distant memory. Before purchasing this Gap denim jacket, the last time I can remember having one is middle school. After that time period, I thought my days of needing one of these were over. On a random afternoon though, Winny and I had popped into a Gap “just to browse” and I realized that I needed this staple back in my life. It’s my go-to for all those moments when you just don’t know what to wear. There’s actually a running joke I think about how black pants and a denim jacket is the uniform for every basic SF girl. They may not be wrong about that. I may also not be ashamed by that fact. I added the white boots for a “pop,” but we’re not sure if it’s actually working.

Style
07 Apr 2020

Camel + Cut

Sweater – Aritzia / Denim – Frame / Purse – Marc Jacobs / Sneakers – adidas

I always feel some sort of pressure taking an OOTD right after the New Year. Like it’s supposed to be this grand event because you’re kicking off the new you. As you can see, I put a little bit more effort into my hair this day, but the rest out of the outfit might be considered out of character for me. During this quarantine, I have been living in my leggings rather than my dresses and it feels abnormal for others, but also myself! I generally consider “camel” to be a neutral, minimalist color. In 2020, I am loving it more than ever having both a camel colored trench and trousers on my wish list.

At first sight, this Aritzia sweater wasn’t my first pick. It was actually my mom’s! After trying it on with a pair of pants, I knew I needed another casual sweater. I like how it’s also in between a crew neck and a turtleneck.

Style
21 Feb 2020

A Reformation

Dress – Reformation / Sandals – Oak + Fort

Several years ago when Reformation first came onto the scene, I was determined to avoid it for as long as possible. After all, I already had a vast collection of dresses and I wouldn’t necessarily put Reformation into the most affordable category. On the eve of a friend’s wedding, I was still without a dress to wear for it. It was shocking to me because I’ve never felt so unprepared! I stopped into Reformation in Lower Pac Heights and sure enough, as soon as I put it on, it fit perfectly. Not only was it the right size, but it highlighted my best features. I couldn’t leave the store without it!

It was that dress that converted me into a fast fan. This is the 2nd dress that we’ve purchased from the brand and it’s what I consider perfect for any summer season. These dresses are high quality and I’m confident that they can withstand the test of time.

Style
09 Feb 2020

Chinatown’s Golden Hour

Cardigan – Topshop / Dress – Nordstrom / Shoes – Mom’s

I will never pass up an opportunity for a photo moment in Chinatown! Every so often, Angel and I will impromptu dinners and 75% of the time, our craving is always Asian food. Chinatown is just a quick walk from our office and on this particular day, the light around sunset was spectacular. In general though, this is my favorite neighborhood to shoot in because of the colors and the chaos. There is so much going on at all times and it feels like this part of the city never stops. In the fall, we didn’t really need our jackets so I was taking advantage of light layers and pulled a chunky cardigan over a dress that I never stopped wearing this summer.

Style
03 Feb 2020

Fall in the City

Dress – Urban Outfitters / Sandals – Oak + Fort / Sunlasses – Marc Jacobs

Nobody loves re-wearing a wedding guest dress for day-to-day more than me. I think it’s because at the end of the day, I love a good challenge. And the thing that most people believe is that you can’t wear a wedding guest outside of a wedding. To that, I think we should respond with changing your mentality. Which one of the dresses that you own can be worn to a wedding? Obviously, there are a few exceptions here – no white, nothing that steals attention from the bride, nothing low cut, etc.

Most of the time, I buy dresses with the intent that they are for someone else’s wedding. The challenge of making it daytime appropriate though never ends up being too difficult. Layers are your friends. But my best kept secret? Wear it with confidence. No one has to know that you wore it to a wedding. Wear it like it’s your day time outfit and you’d be surprised at how many people won’t even notice.

Style
02 Jan 2020

Monochrome

Sweater + Booties – Something Navy / Slip Dress – Aritzia

Wearing an outfit where all the pieces were in the same color family? Count me out. This was a trend that I saw for 2019 that kept coming up, but never thought I could pull off. Not only did I think I couldn’t do it, I also didn’t have the urge to. Mixing colors, patterns, and textures are what is so fun about fashion for me. After seeing a similar outfit on [Arielle Charnas] I thought I would give it a shot. If it didn’t work out, the worst outcome is that I just don’t wear this outfit again. Maybe there was even an added boost of confidence because two of these pieces are from Arielle’s Something Navy collection.

Wearing black on black is easy for me. I could probably go two weeks wearing only black pieces without ever having to repeat. The monochrome look in another direction though was a challenge I wanted to take on. Readers, would you try it? If so, would you select something in cream/white/black or a bolder color?

Style
01 Jan 2020

But Have You Tried The Sandwich?

Tank Top – Nordstrom / Denim Jacket – Gap / Jeggings – Uniqlo / Heels – Vince Camuto / Cap – Urban Outfitters

Call us a bandwagon fan because I had never eaten Popeyes before I learned about this deal they had on Tuesdays. For context though, this deal has been in place prior to the hype around the sandwich, which I’ve had twice. Twice in both versions to be specific – spicy and non-spicy. 10/10 would recommend to every one of y’all!

It’s unclear whether this golden hour is the sole reason why this is nearly my favorite photo of the year or if it’s Popeyes, but it’s likely the joy spread across my face because I’m excited to eat a great meal.